Copyright
©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
Therapeutic target for nephrotic syndrome: Identification of novel slit diaphragm associated molecules
Yoshiyasu Fukusumi, Naoko Miyauchi, Taeko Hashimoto, Akira Saito, Hiroshi Kawachi, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Nephrology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
Author contributions: All authors contributed to this manuscript.
Correspondence to: Hiroshi Kawachi, MD, PhD, Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Nephrology, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757, Asahimachi-Dori, Niigata 951-8510, Japan. kawachi@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-25-2272160 Fax: +81-25-2270770
Received: March 26, 2014
Revised: May 15, 2014
Accepted: June 27, 2014
Published online: August 6, 2014
Revised: May 15, 2014
Accepted: June 27, 2014
Published online: August 6, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The slit diaphragm located between neighboring foot processes of a glomerular podocyte functions as a final barrier to retain plasma proteins. Recently several molecules such as nephrin and podocin were identified as functional molecules of the slit diaphragm. However, the precise molecular compositions of the slit diaphragm are still unclear and the mechanism regulating its barrier function is not fully understood yet. Recently we have reported that synaptic vesicle protein 2B, ephrin-B1 and neurexin are expressed in podocyte and the decreased function of these molecules participates in the initiation of proteinuria. These molecules could be targets for a novel therapy for proteinuria.